Once, there was but a trickle of tourism coming to India, and the first arrivals came to Kerala. Over the years the flow grew to a stream, then a river. People hear about verdant hills, flowers and bamboo forest and come looking for beauty and a slower pace of life. Nearly all, however, miss the rural hinterlands, hidden in the valleys and foothills of the province’s mountains. This fifteen day excursion brings together the unknown with the famous – showing you the best of Kerala’s backwaters, its ancient but bustling cities and giving you a rare glimpse beyond what is available to the more touristic traveller. If it is this glimpse that enchants you most, consider the three week itinerary.

Overview

Most people think about the Kerala when they think about traveling in south of India. Kabani will take you out of the usual tourist’s path. Experience the scenic view over the valleys, learn form a fully-immersed perspective into the Keralaes culture, discover the bamboo handicraft workshop and the traditional fishing technic in a tourist free area. Meet people and share your culture, mesmerise your eyes in front of breathtaking landscape, lightning palaces and walk through the jungle to discover its hidden gems. Kabani will reveal to you the secrets of our country and its welcoming people.

Trip highlights

Palaces & Fort in Mysore : The architectural style of these palaces, the deep pink marbles domes, arches, gardens and temples will marvel you

Boat trip & sunset on the backwaters : The “Venise of the East” with its shining backwaters, birds and palm trees is inevitable if you come to Kerala

Kathakali & Kalaripayattu performance: Deeply rooted in the Kerales culture, the performance of the athletes of this dance and martial art is breathtaking

Jungle safari : Trekking in the hills and mountains of the valley to discover the fauna and flora. You might spot elephants & tiger if your are lucky

Cooking class : Experiencing indian food is part of the adventure when you visit India, With Kabani you will have the opportunity to learn how to cook famous indian food in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with freshly harvested products.

Hills trekking : Trekking in the hills and mountains of the valley, for a breathtaking moment at the top

Fish barbecue : Learn how to fish with a bamboo basket, set up a net across a river and how to catch crabs

Culture sharing : exchanging with the locals about your culture

Brief Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 : HD Kote & Mysore

A taxi will pick you up at Bangalore’s airport and will bring you to your hotel. Embrace our agricultural heritage thanks to a meeting with a millet farmer and how they adapt to climate change. Learn our agricultural technique, taste our spices, feast on fruits you never ever heard of and experience the nature that built it for you. Get involved in our education program in a school for disadvantaged childen, follow the rhythm of Kabani river during a boat trip and listen to the nature in a jungle safari. Explore Mysore, referred to as the cultural capital of Karnataka, a green city where the mesmerising Mysore Palace, an Indo-Muslim Palace inspiration, comes along with cathedral, churches and museums.

Day 3, 4 & 5 : Thrikkaipetta

The next stop is Thrikkaipetta, a traditional and agricultural village, surrounded by rice fields, tea plantations and flanked by the Westen Ghaats. Once arrived in the village, you will be welcomed by your host family, share your culture and stories with them, and they will show you the vividness of our culture in this peaceful and quiet place. Learn how to cook a traditional indian meal; meal that you taste for your own diner. Discover the bamboo handicraft workshop of the village, where Uravu established a sustainable and responsible business, the rice fields and other cash crops plantations. Fish you own food, helped by local fishermen and cook it yourself on a barbecue while watching the sunset over the hills. Learn the history of the valley and of its inhabitants by visiting the 300ft waterfall Soojiparra, the 3000 years old Edakkal caves, Jain temples … Do not stop here and get back to nature and stroll through our forests, trek in the hills and mountains (path from easy to medium difficulty), visit our rivers and lakes and understand the diversity of fauna and flora inhabiting all this places.

Day 6, 7 : Calicut

Visit a traditional boat making unit and be amazed by the craft skills of the workers, meet the fishermen at the sea port and enjoy the vibrant trade city where we established women empowerment program. The next day, have a walk in the colourful fruits market and Big bazar and learn about the Malabar way of conducting business. Sail on the river along the city and enjoy a Kalaripayattu performance, one of the oldest fighting systems in existence featuring strikes, kicks, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods. Complete your knowledge about local culture with a visit in a museum and an art gallery.

Day 8, 9 & 10 : Allepey

Described as the “Venice of the East”, you will experience the magic beauty of this place. The backwaters are places where all naturals elements cohabit together, and where Human beings try to leave in harmony with nature for thousand years. Between water and earth, the land has many secrets awaiting for you with picturesque canal, beaches and lagoons. Visit prawn and mussels processing units, operated by women, relax on small boats sailing on the canals, walk by the backwaters and open your mind and spirit when visiting temples. Mr Namboori will present you medicinal plants during a walk across the countryside. Walk by the sea side let the current carry you to new surprise.

Day 11 & 12 : Vagamon

Back in the wavy and green hills in the backdrop of the Western Ghaats, you spend two days exploring the remote tea plantations and factory, trekking to waterfalls or even experiencing para-gliding and acupuncture.

Day 13, 14 & 15 : Fort Kochi

Kochi was a fishing village in the Kingdom of Kochi in the pre-colonial Kerala. From the following colonial history, Kochi inherited its architecture. Walk in the streets, flanked by a mix of Portuguese, Dutch, and British old style houses, visit the churches, synagogue, and colourful spices market or just enjoy a scenic view at the waterfront, with a series of pre-colonial Chinese fishing nets. Chill out to a sunset cruise at sea, appreciate a Kathakali performance, a multi-centuries aged traditional dance featuring professionals colourfully dressed and make-up.

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Price : From INR 56000 to INR 120200

PRATICTAL INFORMATION

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Pick up at Bangalore Airport
Transportation: taxi cab, train (from Beypore to Sherthalai) and boat
Accommodation: Cottages, Homestay
Most of homestays are bed & breakfast. Some of them provide all meals
At Day 15, Drop at Kochi train station to come back to Bangalore (12h by train)
Food, accommodation and activities included in the tour price

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If you have questions about the Tour “Hidden Secrets of Kerala” or one of our several packages